Ailsa Changhttp://krcc.org
enOutrage On The Left And Right As Senate Delays Spending Votehttp://krcc.org/post/outrage-left-and-right-senate-delays-spending-vote
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=Outrage+On+The+Left+And+Right+As+Senate+Delays+Spending+Vote&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDAwMzY5MzE4MDEzMTE3ODg5NDA4ZjRiNg004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>SCOTT SIMON, HOST: <p>Senators will also head to the Capitol today. Last night, they were poised to pass the trillion dollar spending bill that narrowly cleared the House this week. But members of both parties found reasons to resist the measure.Sat, 13 Dec 2014 13:12:00 +0000Ailsa Chang28168 at http://krcc.orgTheir Senate, Their Rules: GOP May Allow Blocking Of Nominees Againhttp://krcc.org/post/their-senate-their-rules-gop-may-allow-blocking-nominees-again
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says one of his top priorities will be to make the Senate work the way it used to — which would include the use of filibusters to block presidential appointments. But would that improve the way the Senate works? Republicans will be debating that question behind closed doors Tuesday.Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:57:00 +0000Ailsa Chang27909 at http://krcc.orgTheir Senate, Their Rules: GOP May Allow Blocking Of Nominees AgainMitch McConnell's Mission: Making The Senate Work Againhttp://krcc.org/post/mitch-mcconnells-mission-making-senate-work-again
At 72, after 30 years in the U.S. Senate, Mitch McConnell has finally realized his life's ambition.<p>He never wanted to be president — he just wanted to be Senate majority leader. And when he ascends to that perch come January, McConnell will finally have a chance to shape the chamber he says he deeply loves. McConnell declared his first priority will be to make what's been called a paralyzed Senate function again.Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:44:00 +0000Ailsa Chang26933 at http://krcc.orgMitch McConnell's Mission: Making The Senate Work AgainAfter 8 Years, Republicans Win Control Of U.S. Senatehttp://krcc.org/post/after-8-years-republicans-win-control-us-senate
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=After+8+Years%2C+Republicans+Win+Control+Of+U.S.+Senate&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA1MjI2NzUxMDEyNzQyMTY5MjQ2YzkwNA004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>There is very little upside for Democrats in yesterday's election results.Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:00:00 +0000Ailsa Chang26593 at http://krcc.orgSen. Mitch McConnell Has More Than Most Riding On Midterm Electionshttp://krcc.org/post/sen-mitch-mcconnell-has-lot-riding-midterm-elections
If Republicans take over the Senate, the man expected to become the next majority leader is Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The title would be the culmination of a political career spanning more than three decades.<p>But first, McConnell has to win a sixth Senate term in a state where his popularity's been sagging.<p>It would be a stretch to call McConnell an endearing politician. When his face relaxes, his thin lips often droop into a frown.Mon, 03 Nov 2014 10:04:00 +0000Ailsa Chang26487 at http://krcc.orgSen. Mitch McConnell Has More Than Most Riding On Midterm ElectionsAfter Sunday Service, Georgia Churches Get Souls To The Pollshttp://krcc.org/post/georgia-democrats-hope-get-souls-polls-after-church
At The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta, about 700 congregants jam the pews every Sunday morning at 10:30. The church is near the edge of DeKalb County, and it's helping lead a "Souls to the Polls" drive.<p>Georgia Democrat Michelle Nunn is running an extremely tight race for Senate against Republican David Perdue, and the difference between victory and defeat could ride on the African-American vote. The push is on to get voters to turn out early — especially at black churches.<p>This year, for the first time in Georgia's history, some polling places are open on Sundays.Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:36:00 +0000Ailsa Chang26200 at http://krcc.orgAfter Sunday Service, Georgia Churches Get Souls To The PollsThe 2014 Campaign Ads That You Just Can't Stop Replayinghttp://krcc.org/post/2014-campaign-ads-you-just-cant-stop-replaying
<p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Y24MFOfFU</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iXAzSMvAb0</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIGI0TEJn0U</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94NCPnv-0w4</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc_AAje-4l0</p><p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k1QUGtvAmc</p>Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:33:00 +0000Ailsa Chang26026 at http://krcc.orgThe 2014 Campaign Ads That You Just Can't Stop ReplayingIn N.H. Race, A Rematch Of A Rematchhttp://krcc.org/post/nh-race-rematch-rematch
Think of it as a rematch of a rematch.<p>In New Hampshire, Democratic Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter is battling Republican Frank Guinta for the third time in a row. Each has beaten the other before – Guinta defeated Shea-Porter during the 2010 Tea Party wave, and Shea-Porter won her seat back in 2012.<p>You wonder if it starts to get boring when you're hitting the same rival over and over again.<p>"Well, I know what he's going to say, that's for sure," says Shea-Porter.Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:04:49 +0000Ailsa Chang25132 at http://krcc.orgIn N.H. Race, A Rematch Of A RematchCongress Quietly Extends The Budget — Past Election Day, Anywayhttp://krcc.org/post/congress-quietly-extends-budget-past-election-day-anyway
<p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZHw0XTdCOU</p>Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:15:00 +0000Ailsa Chang24802 at http://krcc.orgExpanding ISIS Fight Scrambles GOP Plan To Extend Budget And Get Outhttp://krcc.org/post/expanding-isis-fight-scrambles-gop-plan-extend-budget-and-get-out
House Republicans were hoping for September to be a blissfully uneventful month, with election season just around the corner. But President Obama dashed those hopes this week, when he asked Congress for authorization to train and arm Syrian rebels against the group <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/09/12/347711170/isis-isil-or-islamic-state-whats-in-a-name">calling itself the Islamic State</a>.<p>The request has already derailed progress on the one bill Congress has to pass before leaving for recess next week — a measure to keep the government open past Sept. 30.Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:34:00 +0000Ailsa Chang24526 at http://krcc.orgExpanding ISIS Fight Scrambles GOP Plan To Extend Budget And Get OutPryor Sticks To The Middle In Close Arkansas Senate Racehttp://krcc.org/post/pryor-sticks-middle-close-arkansas-senate-race
Arkansas Democrat Mark Pryor is running one of the closest Senate races in the country. The fight, which could determine which party will control the Senate next year, may be on its way to becoming the most expensive race in the state's history.<p>Since President Obama won in 2008, Arkansas has grown more Republican, but Pryor is still hoping to win a third term on his reputation as a down-the-middle guy.<p>The operating principle in Arkansas politics is that everything is personal. People expect their politicians to work to get their vote.Mon, 08 Sep 2014 21:17:00 +0000Ailsa Chang24372 at http://krcc.orgPryor Sticks To The Middle In Close Arkansas Senate RaceSenate Control May Swing On North Carolina's Unpopularity Contesthttp://krcc.org/post/north-carolina-senate-race-shapes-unpopularity-contest
North Carolina is one of the half-dozen states <a href="http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/six-consistently-close-races-will-probably-decide-control-of-the-senate/" target="_blank">that could cost the Democrats their majority in the Senate</a> this November, and both contenders in the race are hoping to capitalize on a backlash.<p>Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan wants voters to punish her Republican challenger Thom Tillis, the speaker of the North Carolina House, for <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/07/north-carolina-abortion-bill-pat-mccory-94256.html" target="_blank">unpopular statThu, 21 Aug 2014 20:10:00 +0000Ailsa Chang23675 at http://krcc.orgSenate Control May Swing On North Carolina's Unpopularity ContestVA Nominee Steps Before Senate Committeehttp://krcc.org/post/va-nominee-steps-senate-committee
Robert McDonald, President Obama's nominee to run the troubled Department of Veterans Affairs, is appearing before the Senate for his confirmation hearing. He faces the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, which will vote on whether to send his nomination to the Senate floor. <div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=VA+Nominee+Steps+Before+Senate+Committee&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA4NDI3MDk2MDEzMjA0NDE3NTExOWRjNg004)"/></div><p>Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:12:00 +0000Ailsa Chang22315 at http://krcc.orgHouse GOP Counters Obama's Request By Promising Own Proposalhttp://krcc.org/post/house-gop-counters-obamas-request-promising-own-proposal
Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.<p>ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: <p>And I'm Robert Siegel. It's a familiar dance in Washington - President Obama makes a request to Congress and the House says no. This time, the no is in response to the $3.7 billion dollars the president requested to respond to an influx of unaccompanied immigrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border.<p>House Republicans say they won't grant anywhere near that amount.Tue, 15 Jul 2014 20:21:00 +0000Ailsa Chang21981 at http://krcc.orgCould A Socialist Senator Become A National Brand?http://krcc.org/post/could-socialist-senator-become-national-brand
As members of Congress continue hammering out a bill to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/06/04/318827245/va-health-cares-chronic-ailments-long-waits-and-red-tape">beleaguered health care system</a>, attention has focused on one man leading the charge: Bernie Sanders, Independent senator from Vermont and a self-described socialist.<p>Sanders barely got 2 percent of the vote when he first tried breaking into Vermont politics in the 1970s, but now there's buzz that the man known simply as "Bernie" may be a presidential candidate in 2016.<p>Thu, 10 Jul 2014 07:23:00 +0000Ailsa Chang21709 at http://krcc.orgCould A Socialist Senator Become A National Brand?Addressing Border Crisis, Politicians Find Invitation In Misperceptionhttp://krcc.org/post/addressing-border-crisis-politicians-find-invitation-misperception
The House Committee on Homeland Security held a hearing Tuesday to address the influx of unaccompanied immigrant children from Central America. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson spoke at the proceedings, saying the situation at the border was "urgent." <div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2014 NPR.Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:25:00 +0000Ailsa Chang20982 at http://krcc.orgOld Senate Tradition Lies Behind Controversial Judge's Nominationhttp://krcc.org/post/old-senate-tradition-lies-behind-controversial-judges-nomination
As President Obama continues to take heat for nominating to the federal bench a judge who once wanted to keep the Confederate emblem on the Georgia state flag, the White House says what's partly to blame for the choice is an old Senate tradition.<p>It turns out that tradition — which gives virtual veto power over judicial nominations to home state senators — helps explain why almost all the judicial vacancies without nominees are now in states with Republican senators.<p>There's an idea in the Senate that it's still a chamber operating on mutual respect and goodwill between colleagues, even inThu, 29 May 2014 21:05:54 +0000Ailsa Chang19789 at http://krcc.orgOld Senate Tradition Lies Behind Controversial Judge's NominationSen. Isakson: Boggs Fight Won't Break White House Dealhttp://krcc.org/post/sen-isakson-boggs-fight-wont-break-white-house-deal
If the judicial nomination of Michael Boggs gets derailed, at least one of Georgia's senators says it won't unravel a deal the two senators entered with the White House to select seven nominees for the federal bench in Georgia.<p>"The deal was we agreed on seven nominees for seven judicial appointments and asked for all of them to get a hearing at the same time, and that was the deal," said Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia.Thu, 22 May 2014 23:10:00 +0000Ailsa Chang19477 at http://krcc.orgSen. Isakson: Boggs Fight Won't Break White House DealObama Judicial Nominee Gets A Hostile Reception From Democratshttp://krcc.org/post/obama-judicial-nominee-gets-hostile-reception-democrats
Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>One of President Obama's most controversial picks for the federal bench faced a barrage of hostile questions from Democrats, during his confirmation hearing today. Michael Boggs is a state judge in Georgia.Tue, 13 May 2014 20:05:00 +0000Ailsa Chang19021 at http://krcc.orgElection-Year Politics Dooms Energy Bill, Averts Pipeline Votehttp://krcc.org/post/election-year-politics-dooms-energy-bill-averts-pipeline-vote
As expected, an energy efficiency bill failed in the Senate on Monday, which makes a separate Senate vote on the Keystone XL oil pipeline unlikely before the November election.<p>Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had made a Keystone vote contingent upon passage of the energy efficiency bill, and letting one doom the other may have temporarily gotten him out of a bind.<p>Reid faced a dilemma: Some Senate Democrats — especially vulnerable ones running in conservative states this year — want to support the pipeline.Tue, 13 May 2014 06:38:00 +0000Ailsa Chang18983 at http://krcc.orgElection-Year Politics Dooms Energy Bill, Averts Pipeline VoteFrom Humble Beginnings, A Powerhouse Fundraising Class Emergeshttp://krcc.org/post/humble-beginnings-powerhouse-fundraising-class-emerges
Women are far less likely than men to run for Congress. But here's the curious thing: When it comes to the hardest, most miserable part of campaigning — fundraising — women do just as well as men.<p>Study after study shows this, but it wasn't always that way. Efforts over the past 30 years to teach women how to <em>raise</em> money and <em>give</em> money have helped them catch up to men as powerhouse fundraisers. <br /> Tue, 06 May 2014 21:12:00 +0000Ailsa Chang18714 at http://krcc.orgFrom Humble Beginnings, A Powerhouse Fundraising Class EmergesMega-Donor Opens Wallet On The Hill To Kill Online Gamblinghttp://krcc.org/post/mega-donor-opens-wallet-hill-kill-online-gambling
Now that the Supreme Court has eliminated the cap on the total amount one individual can give to candidates in each election, many are wondering how the very rich will respond.<p>If they spread their money across a wider swath of lawmakers, would that improve their chances of passing the legislation they want?<p>Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson could be the first test case.<p><strong>Expanding One's Reach Across Congress</strong><p>Adelson is pushing a bill through Congress that would ban online gambling, and he has pledged he will spend "whatever it takes."<p>The Supreme Court has ruled that a Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:02:00 +0000Ailsa Chang17203 at http://krcc.orgMega-Donor Opens Wallet On The Hill To Kill Online GamblingAs Obamacare Deadline Nears, Louisiana Gets Special Attentionhttp://krcc.org/post/obamacare-deadline-nears-louisiana-gets-special-attention
With only four days left before the March 31 enrollment deadline, the White House is kicking into high gear trying to round up more Affordable Care Act enrollees – and Louisiana got special attention Thursday.<p>Why? Enrollment in the federal healthcare exchange there has lagged behind other states and, perhaps as important, citizens are getting bombarded with anti-ACA ads as Democratic Sen.Thu, 27 Mar 2014 22:10:00 +0000Ailsa Chang16899 at http://krcc.orgAs Obamacare Deadline Nears, Louisiana Gets Special AttentionHow To Meet Your Congressmanhttp://krcc.org/post/how-meet-your-congressman
For all the campaigning and schmoozing members of Congress have to do, the truth is that the vast majority of Americans will never actually meet their lawmakers.<p>To be fair, not everyone wants to. But among those who do, there's serious competition for a lawmaker's time. So, how does an average citizen get access on Capitol Hill? The quick answer: It's not easy.<p>First, do the math.Wed, 26 Mar 2014 07:30:00 +0000Ailsa Chang16795 at http://krcc.orgHow To Meet Your CongressmanWith Clock Ticking Down, Obama Polishes Judicial Legacyhttp://krcc.org/post/clock-ticking-down-obama-polishes-judicial-legacy
Republicans have a decent shot at taking control of the Senate in November, so President Obama could have as little as nine months left to shape the judiciary he will leave behind.<p>Senate Democrats positioned themselves to help with that endeavor when they eliminated the filibuster for most judicial nominees last November. But Republicans are still finding ways to slow things down.<p>When Senate Republicans lost their ability to filibuster judicial nominees, many claimed the federal bench would change forever.Fri, 21 Mar 2014 20:16:00 +0000Ailsa Chang16615 at http://krcc.orgWith Clock Ticking Down, Obama Polishes Judicial LegacySenate Blocks Military Sexual Assault Reformshttp://krcc.org/post/senate-blocks-military-sexual-assault-reforms
Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.<p>After months of anticipation, the Senate has rejected a proposal to fundamentally change the way the military prosecutes sexual assault. Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand of New York needed 60 votes for a bill that would give military prosecutors, rather than commanders, final say over which sexual assault cases to prosecute. The legislation got 55 votes today.<p>With us now is NPR's congressional reporter Ailsa Chang to talk about the fight around Gillibrand's legislation.Thu, 06 Mar 2014 21:16:00 +0000Ailsa Chang15933 at http://krcc.orgDemocrats Help Block Nominee For DOJ's Top Civil Rights Jobhttp://krcc.org/post/democrats-help-block-nominee-dojs-top-civil-rights-job
Transcript <p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. Good morning. I'm David Greene.<p>LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST: <p>And I'm Linda Wertheimer.<p>A handful of Senate Democrats joined Republicans yesterday to defeat President Obama's choice to head the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.<p>Debo Adegbile is a civil rights lawyer who once helped handle the appeal of a cop killer.Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:22:00 +0000Ailsa Chang15910 at http://krcc.orgFEMA Flood Insurance Law Faces Partial Repeal Over Premiumshttp://krcc.org/post/overhaul-fema-program-has-homeowners-calling-congress
The House is expected to vote as early as next week to partially repeal a 2012 law that overhauled the National Flood Insurance Program, which is tens of billions of dollars in debt.<p>The law was meant to make people living in flood-prone areas foot more of the insurance bill. But lawmakers didn't realize how many homeowners would be affected — or how hard they'd be hit.<p>You can find some of those homeowners in Bayou Gauche, about 30 miles west of New Orleans.<p>Like other parts of South Louisiana, this small community is below sea level.Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:26:00 +0000Ailsa Chang15645 at http://krcc.orgFEMA Flood Insurance Law Faces Partial Repeal Over PremiumsDemocratic Sen. Landrieu Walks A Fine Line In Red Louisianahttp://krcc.org/post/democratic-sen-landrieu-walks-fine-line-red-louisiana
If Democrats are going to keep their majority in the Senate, they'll need to hang on to a few critical seats they hold in conservative states.<p>Mary Landrieu of Louisiana has one of those, and like some of her colleagues up for re-election, her support of the Affordable Care Act could be the mountain to overcome this fall.<p>The question for Landrieu is: Will Louisiana voters define her by Obamacare, or judge her on the entire record she's built over nearly two decades as a senator?<p><strong>For Some, Obamacare's A Dealbreaker </strong><p>There's a sprawling, twisty live oak in Galliano, La.Tue, 25 Feb 2014 08:37:00 +0000Ailsa Chang15546 at http://krcc.orgDemocratic Sen. Landrieu Walks A Fine Line In Red LouisianaSenate Follows House Lead In Passing Debt Limit Raisehttp://krcc.org/post/senate-follows-house-lead-passing-debt-limit-raise
Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Melissa Block.<p>ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: <p>And I'm Robert Siegel.<p>Congress has averted a default by raising the country's borrowing limit. The Senate passed the legislation this afternoon after overcoming an attempted filibuster. The bill pushes the debt ceiling deadline to March of 2015 and it now heads to the White House for the president to sign. As NPR's Ailsa Chang reports, Democrats needed five Republicans to join them.Wed, 12 Feb 2014 21:29:00 +0000Ailsa Chang15053 at http://krcc.org